Long Island Sound Coastal Drive

The Long Island Sound Coastal Drive offers an unforgettable experience steeped in maritime lore, ecological significance, and vibrant town life. Stretching along the edge of Connecticut and New York, this route weaves through charming waterfront communities, historic seaports, and natural landscapes shaped by sea, storm, and time. What makes this route truly engaging is not just its scenic appeal, but the interplay of human culture and coastal resilience evident at every turn.

From the industrial pulse of Brooklyn to the quiet harbors of New London, the Long Island Sound shoreline reveals a journey where trains, ferries, buses, and footsteps trace a living shoreline that has evolved through centuries of storm surges, conservation efforts, and coastal engineering.

Starting Point: Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal

Your journey begins at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal, one of the Long Island Rail Road’s busiest hubs. This historic line, chartered in 1834, once linked the boroughs to the farthest reaches of Long Island. Today, it connects modern-day explorers with Suffolk County’s far eastern tip.

The LIRR trip toward Greenport showcases New York’s progression from urban landscape to maritime fringe. As the train pulls into Ronkonkoma and later Greenport, the scenery shifts from concrete to cedar-shingled buildings and boatyards. The old Greenport train station, dating back to the 1880s, now serves as a maritime museum, a nod to the town’s salty heritage and continued relevance as a ferry port and fishing village.

Greenport to Orient Point

Greenport’s waterfront invites a leisurely stroll before boarding the Suffolk Transit S92. The bus ride from Greenport to Orient Point may be short, but it threads through rolling farmland and glimpses of open water. Though service is accessible and comfortable, traffic snarls are not uncommon. Planning with a buffer is wise, especially when catching the ferry.

The Cross Sound Ferry connects Orient Point to New London, crossing one of the most active maritime corridors in the Northeast. While not every boat is fully accessible, many are, and those that aren’t still offer makeshift access for those able to handle a few steps. On deck, sea spray and salty air bring a refreshing contrast to the paved stretches behind. Choppy waves often roll beneath the hull as gulls trace the ferry’s path.

New London: A Harbor Where the Past Walks With You

The city of New London emerges gradually across the Sound. Its shoreline tells stories of defense, innovation, and freedom. Fort Trumbull stands sentinel near the mouth of the Thames River. Nearby, the U.S. Coast Guard training ship Eagle rides at anchor, a stately reminder of the region’s naval presence.

New London’s history is not confined to placards. A walk along Bank Street brings encounters with stories engraved in bronze and stone. Sidewalk plaques recount New London’s Revolutionary War scars and its legacy as a shipping and naval hub. At the former U.S. Customs House, now a museum, a stone marker commemorates the arrival of the slave ship Amistad in 1839. The event launched one of the most significant freedom cases in American legal history, culminating in a Supreme Court victory and the return of the Mende captives to Sierra Leone. That legacy reverberates on the same streets today.

Union Station, the terminus of this leg of the journey, is a masterpiece by architect H.H. Richardson. Finished in 1887, its warm red brick and stonework set the tone for the rail ride back to New York. Trains from here connect to Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela services, as well as Connecticut’s Shore Line East.

USGS Research and Coastal Futures

Beyond the charm and storybook towns, Long Island Sound is a living laboratory for climate science and habitat preservation. The U.S. Geological Survey’s ongoing work in this region focuses on evaluating and forecasting coastal hazards—from rising seas to flooding caused by nor’easters.

USGS studies combine physical and biological modeling to understand how habitats are shifting under environmental stress. One example is their work to identify potential nesting grounds for piping plovers as sea levels rise. Their data supports flood-warning systems and habitat planning, ensuring that vulnerable areas from New York’s coastal bluffs to Connecticut’s salt marshes are not just observed but managed with foresight.

These projects underscore the region’s dual identity: a place where visitors admire old wharves and wooden schooners, while scientists and policymakers grapple with modern challenges that could reshape the shoreline over the coming decades.

Highlights Along the Way

• Greenport: A scenic village with a working harbor, historic train station, and access to the ferry via local bus.
• Orient Point Ferry Crossing: A salt-air journey across the Sound, offering views of the Connecticut coastline and maritime traffic.
• New London: Packed with maritime history, walkable streets, and important sites like the Custom House and Fort Trumbull.
• Scientific Significance: An active zone for environmental monitoring, sea-level research, and coastal resilience strategies by the USGS.

Final Thoughts

The Long Island Sound Coastal Drive blends transportation with transformation. Trains follow old paths once charted for commerce. Ferries link centuries-old ports. Buses traverse farmland and inlets. On foot, visitors retrace steps once trod by whalers, abolitionists, and soldiers. The journey, while just a day long, stitches together stories that have shaped the Atlantic coast.

This route isn’t simply scenic—it’s a thread through time, tide, and terrain, where every mile holds meaning.